CIOFF International

Today, we continue our special tribute series honoring the leaders who have dedicated their lives to the CIOFF® mission. We are proud to celebrate a person whose journey with CIOFF® spans nearly five decades: Norbert Mueller.

For our Honorary Members, CIOFF® is more than an organization. It is a lifelong commitment to a global family. For Norbert, it has been a journey of building the structures that allow folklore to thrive, ensuring that the spirit of peace and cultural exchange stands on a strong and lasting foundation. A legacy of leadership and dedication

🇩🇪 At the National Level (Germany):
• Founding Member of CIOFF® Germany (1977)
• Served as President for more than two decades (2004–2025), following many years of service as Treasurer and Vice President

🌍 At the International Level:
• Served as Vice President of CIOFF® International (2013–2023) and Acting President in 2022
• Long time member and Chairman of the Festivals Commission, helping uphold the highest standards for CIOFF® festivals worldwide
• Visionary behind the creation of the Communications and Public Relations Commission and served as CIOFF® Webmaster for nearly 20 years, guiding the organization into the digital age

From attending his first World Congress in Považská Bystrica in 1989 to contributing to the Legal Commission, Norbert has been a steady hand, a strategic thinker, and a passionate advocate for folk culture and international understanding.

Thank you, Norbert, for your decades of wisdom, your leadership through times of change, and your unwavering belief in the power of tradition and cultural exchange. ❤️🌍

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250+ dancers. One world. One rhythm. 🌍

This International Dance Day, more than 250 dancers from around the world came together to celebrate the universal language of dance, connecting cultures, stories, and people beyond borders.

Every step, every smile, every tradition shared reminded us that dance does not just move us, it brings us together.

And this is just the beginning. 👀✨

Stay tuned for new ways to connect, collaborate, and celebrate as a global CIOFF® community.

🌍 Were you part of this global celebration? Tag your group where you danced from below!